Things to Do in Sicily Italy - Travel Guide & Information

This description page of Sicily, Region Of Italy, will guide you in planning your trip to Italy and help you to find useful travel information about the Things to Do in this Italian Region.

Every trip to Italy is an endless journey into culture and beauty. No other country in the world can boast the cultural and artistic treasures of Italy. More than half the's historical and artistic heritage is found in Italy. Evidence can be seen in every village. There are so many art treasures of such quality, spread across the country that Italy can rightly be considered an “open air” art gallery.

Each year is packed with special events, some linked to festivals of the Catholic Church, others to the changing seasons. Every little village in Italy has its own wonderful festivals. Many are associated with the harvest (especially wine) or to local products (polenta, prosciutto). The remaining events tend to be historical re-enactments linked to jousting or to costumed cavalcades.

Art and culture, the pleasures of good food and music, traditional crafts and expressions of collective religion, folklore and contemporary art, opera and operetta, concert and theater seasons—in Italy the calendar of festivals and events is practically endless.

Biking and hiking

Mount Etna

Sicily (Sicilia's greatest natural attraction is also its highest mountain. Mt. Etna offers skiing in the winter months and breathtaking hikes in the woods during the summer. There are also a number of smaller peaks on the slopes of Etna, and some interesting caverns. Since Etna is a strato volcano (composed of explosively eruptive cinders and ash with occasional lava flows) with relatively cool lava temperatures and numerous openings (vents), nobody ever knows precisely where on its vast surface the next eruption will be.

Various species of oak and stone pine, as well as birch and beech, cover much of its sloped surface. Broom plant and other shrubs dot the area, especially at lower altitudes's deciduous trees change color in the autumn, creating a magnificent display of changing shades.

Remember that i's always quite a bit cooler on Etna than it is in the valleys or along the coast. There are several roads into the park, and even a railway line from Catania to Riposto (though with only occasional departures), as well as bus service from Catania.

Recommended itineraries:

Western Slope

Monte Gallo and Rifugio della Galvarina. Start at the clearing on the slope of Mount Gallo, reached via the Nicolosi-Adrano road, following the road for about 7-1/2 miles to the sign indicating Monte Intraleo. This hike leads to the Galvarina forest refuge.

Casa Pirao to Monte Spagnolo to Cisternazza

This hike takes about five hours. It starts from the Case Pirao on the northern slope, reached by turning off the Linguaglossa-Randazzo road just outside Randazzo. This excursion will take you through the Mount Spagnolo beech wood.

Monte Nero degli Zappini Nature Trail

This trail offers a view of some of the typical natural settings of the area. It starts from Piano Vetore, which is not far from the Grande Alberg'Etna.

Mount Zoccolaro Nature Trail

Not far from Zafferana Etnea, this steep trek offers spectacular views of the Calanna Valley and the Valle del Bove with patches of aspen and beech woods along the way. Exercise caution because the path is flanked by a steep precipice.

Sightseeing

Alcantara Gorge

The scenic Alcantara Gorge is located on the Alcantara River north of Mount Etna near Taormina off Route 185. This beautiful rock formation, composed of basalt, was created by volcanic activity.

Isolabella (“The Beautiful Island”)

Along the Ionian coast, in the territory of the Taormina municipality, you can find the Nature Reserve Isolabella, situated deep in the Taormina bay, connected to the mainland only through a thin strip of sand. From the top of the Belvedere di Taormina you can reach the Reserve thanks to a little path, which leads you to the main road that goes along the coast. From here, you’ll have access to the Reserve. You can visit the Reserve all through the year, but the best time is spring and fall to view the wonderful display of colors.

From the beach near the isthmus you can admire the breathtaking scenery from the bay and the impressive rock faces of the two promontories, Capo Sant’Andrea and Capo Taormina.

For walkers, there are several trails in the surrounding area leading to the sea and up to the picturesque village of Castelmola, and to the top of the highest mountain in the area, Monte Venere, where one of the three Greek Venus temples is rumored to have been.

Peloritani Mountains

Emerging directly from the sea, the precipitous Peloritani mountainsides are slashed by the deep valleys. These lands are a contrast: jagged peaks, crags, decisive spurs, ledges, almost unreachable rugged ridges and you’ll also see rolling hills, gentle slopes, luxuriant and fertile woods, large glades, delightful lakes, and dotted with small villages. Among the most fascinating walks on the Peloritani Mountains, there is one to the sanctuary of Antennammare that should not be missed where the view is among the most breathtaking and grandiose in Sicily (Sicilia).

The Monti Peloritani form a ridge between two seas, the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian, peaking in Monte Poverello and the Pizzo di Vernà where you’ll discover that there is a “Sicilian Matterhorn,” with mysterious megalithic rocks and soft beds of ferns along deep torrents. It is a marvelous area for excursions with stunning views of the sea and Mount Etna. In August, a major pilgrimage is made to the Antennamare Sanctuary, and in September there is a day for festivities at the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Crispino, above the village of Monforte San Giorgio.

Pantalica

This archaeological site—the largest necropolis in Sicily (Sicilia)—covers a large area, but the steep gorges mean there are few roads, and the only practical way of getting around is on foot. About nine miles from Ferla stands the Filiporto Necropolis, with more than 1,000 tombs cut out of the cliffs. One path goes down to the Bottiglieria River, where steep walls are filled with rock-cut caves, and another takes you to the so-called “Byzantine village,” the rock-hewn church of San Micidiario and the other necropolises in this area.

Festivals

A land of ancient customs and deep-rooted beliefs, Sicily (Sicilia) has preserved most of its traditional celebrations, almost all of them religious.

Festival di Morgana, January-February, Palermo

An international marionette workshop of the Opera dei Pupi, held at the Internazionale delle Marionette, with plays and exhibits.

Festa di San Sebastiano, January, Acireale, Catania

The saint’s statue is taken from his church on an elaborately decorated wooden float and borne in a procession.

Festa del Mandorlo in Fiore (Festival of the Almond Tree in Bloom), February, Agrigento

The arrival of spring is celebrated in the Valley of Temples. At the same time there is the Folklore Festival, which for more than 50 years has featured folk music and dance from all over the world.

Festival of Saint Agatha, February, Catania

One important element which has survived since the Roman domination is the devotion to Sant’Agatha, patron saint of the city who lived during the period of Christian persecution. Since her martyrdom in 251 AD, the people of Catania have maintained their affection towards the Saint whose feast is celebrated annually in the first week of February. The celebration represents the largest religious event in Europe and attracts interested participants from all over the world. The city is filled with “strangers” who invoke the saint’s protection, while Catanians dressed only in “sackcloth,” bear her statue in an impressive procession.

Carnival, February, Acireale

Symbolic floats, colorful atmosphere, and huge crowds add to this celebration in a splendid blend of history, political satire, and dance.

Carnival, February, Sciacca

Together with Acireale, which dates back to the late 19th century, Sciacca is the most famous carnival in Sicily (Sicilia).

Sagra del Mandorio in Fiore, February, Agrigento

Together with the Festival Internazionale del Folklore, this festival of almond trees in bloom takes place in the magical Valle dei Templi.

Sagra del Carciofo (artichokes), March, Cerda, Palermo

Sagra della Ricotta, March, Mussomeli near Caltanissetta

Ballo dei Diavoli, Easter Week, Prizzi, Palermo

Masked men perform the “devils’ dance,” which symbolizes the struggle between good and evil.

Processione dei Misteri, Easter Week, Trapani

Groups of statues and hooded men commemorate Christ’s sacrifice in the Procession of Mysteries, which lasts for 20 hours.

International Windsurfing Championship, May, Mondello and Palermo

Settimana delle Egadi, May, island of Favignana

The traditional mattanza tuna fishing method is celebrated.

Fiera Campionaria, June, Palermo

This fair provides samples of all the Mediterranean countries, with exhibitions and meetings.

International Tennis Tournament, June, Palermo

Efebo d’Oro International Price, June, Agrigento

A prize is awarded to the best film adaptation of a novel.

Festa di Santa Rosalia, July, Palermo

Six days of festivities in honor of the city’s patron saint who, according to legend, saved Palermo from the plague of 1624.

Festa di San Giacomo, July, Caltagirone

The town’s long ceramic stairway is decorated with lighted candles representing assorted figures and scenes.

Festa di San Giuseppi, July, Terrasini, Palermo

St. Joseph is honored with a procession of fishing boats bearing the saint’s statue. Fried fish is served to everyone in the main square.

Festa della Spiga, August, Gangi, Palermo

An entire week of games, parades, and spectacles.

Festa della Castellana, August, Caccamo

An all-women feast that re-enacts the period when the lords and grand ladies of the castle ran the town.

Palio dei Normanni, August, Piazza Armerina

Historical re-enactment in period costume of various tests of courage on horseback, in honor of the great Norman king, Roger I.

Processione della Vara and Cavalcata dei Giganti, August, Messina

Gigantic statues of the founders of Messina, Mata, and Grifone are paraded through the streets, followed by a float bearing a huge, elaborate triumphal cart and tableau called the Vara.

Food and antique markets

Vucciria Market, Palermo

To experience the atmosphere of the old quarters of Sicilian towns and buy local produce, you have to go to the outdoor markets. The Vucciria Market, immortalized by artist Renato Guttuso, is at its most atmospheric in the evening.

Ballarò Market, Palermo

Located between Piazza del Carmine and Piazza Ballarò is another market worth visiting.

Antiques Market (Mercantino dell’antiquariato), by the Porta Uzeda, Catania

Furniture sellers and second-hand dealers offer items costing from a few cens to thousands of euros.

Fish Market (Mercado della Pescheria), Catania, by the Piazza Duomo

The smells and atmosphere of this market are reminiscent of North Africa and the Middle East; don’t miss the atmosphere of this lively market.

Major music festivals and concerts

The theater season in Palermo, which runs from early November to late May, is rich and varied. There is an interesting program of opera and ballet at the Politeama and Massimo theaters. The Teatro Biondo puts on plays from Greek tragedy to Pirandello, with touring productions by leading Italian and international companies.

In Catania the Teatro Massimo Bellini presents excellent opera and classical music.

International Cinema, Music, Theatre, and Dance Festival, July-August, Taormina

An important international festival that forms part of the Taormina Arte series of events

International Medieval and Renaissance Music Week, July-August, Erice

During this week, you can enjoy a celebration of Medieval and Renaissance music.

Taormina Arte, June-August, Taormina

Cultural events at the Greek Theater, with leading figures from the entertainment world are held all year round. The main ones are the Festival Internazionale di Cinema, Musica, Teatro e Danza, an international arts festival held in July and August, and Natale a Taormina, a Christmas season program of exhibits, sacred music, and street performances.

Classic Theater, May, alternate years at Syracuse and Segesta

The Greek Theater in Syracuse is used only for the Settimana delle Rappresentazioni Classiche, a week-long program of ancient drama held every even-numbered year in May. In odd-numbered years, it is Segesta that plays host to classical theater, from Greek tragedy to classical Japanese theater.

Shopping guide

Generally, shops, boutiques, and department stores are open from 8 or 9 am to 1 pm, and in the afternoon, opening hours are 4-8 pm. In the summer these hours may be extended, particularly in tourist resorts. In the cities, most shops close for two or three weeks in August. Seaside resort towns, on the other hand, usually operate on a seasonal basis.

Sicilian Cart Museum

The cart creato's art is almost a lost one, kept alive by the diligence and dedication of just a few talented craftsmen—at once carpenters, ironsmiths, and artists.

In centuries past, these works of art were everywhere in Sicily (Sicilia). The few that remain, and the few which are created each year, seem to represent more than another era. A few antique carts can be seen, and new ones purchased, in the Sicilian Cart Museum behind the apse of Palermo Cathedral.

Sicilian Ceramics

The Sicilian ceramic maste's craft is deeply rooted in time. This timeless art has flourished for millennia, perfectly expressing the essence of Mediterranean culture. Like any other unique work of art, a ceramic piece begins with an idea. That idea is the vision of an individual artist. Then's the material. The clay found in each region of the world is unique. Sicilian clay, used in terra cotta earthenware over the millennia, is different from the clay of Mexico or Mongolia because it contains a combination of silicates unique to Sicily (Sicilia). This clay, freshly mined from the Sicilian mountains and valleys, is molded by hand by ceramic masters, and then left to dry under the sun.

There are, of course, various decorative ceramic products made in Sicily (Sicilia) and sold around the world. However, finding ceramic art that reflects Sicily (Sicilia's true artistic herita't always easy. You may have to search for it. Caltagirone, Santo Stefano di Camastra, and Sciacca are Sicily (Sicilia's most famous ceramic centers. You can find shops and workshops offering plates, jugs, vases, tiles, mugs, and statuettes for sale.

Light blue, yellow, and green are the dominant colors in the lovely ceramics made in Caltagirone; they are richly decorated with volutes, flowers, and geometric motifs. In the ceramics made in Sciacca, the lemon is the prevailing decorative motif. Tiles also come in a variety of styles.

Traditional Sicilian puppets

Puppets can be purchased at the few puppet-makers’ workshops or in antique shops.

Side trips

Siracusa

Founded in 743 BC by Corinthians from Greece, Siracusa was the most important city in Magna Graecia, and for a time rivaled Athens as the most important city of the Greek world. By 397 BC, at least 20,000 people lived in the city-state of Siracusa, which had withstood a series of attacks by rival Athens and Carthage, making it one of the largest and most prosperous cities of its day.

In 212 BC, the Romans took over Siracusa, marking the beginning of a long decline for the area. The Romans, as they did elsewhere, quickly put their stamp on the landscape, including building the largest amphitheater outside of Roma and Verona in the province.

Siracusa was once home to Archimedes and Aeshylus, among others Greek scholars, and at one point was on par with Athens and Carthage, in terms of an intellectual center. Siracusa’s three centuries as a strategic city on the Mediterranean left behind a collection of immense monuments.

There are many magnificent Greek ruins to see in Siracusa, including the Greek Theater, one of the most important examples of ancient theater architecture anywhere. The island of Ortygia has always been the focal point of Siracusa. This offshore island was occupied by the Greek colonists who fortified it and constructed the earliest structures, including the temples of Athena and Apollo, whose remains can still be seen today.

Descend into a maze of eerie tunnels with early Christian tombs hidden beneath the roofless, flower-filled ruins of a Norman church at the Catacombs of San Giavanni Evangelista. The main gallery of the catacombs, which was made by enlarging a former Greek aqueduct, leads to a series of round chapels that still bear traces of frescoes.

The Museo Archeologico Regionale was founded in 1967 (and opened to the public in 1988) to establish a proper home for the enormous quantity of material excavated from digs through southeastern Sicily (Sicilia). The museum is divided into three main sections with over 18,000 pieces on display.

Beautiful coastline and beaches abound in Siracusa, offering wonderful resorts. The beaches of Arenella and Fontane Bianche offer great sunning and swimming, from mid-April through October, in waters are consistently rated among the cleanest in Italy. Pachino is also a resort and fishing town with clean beaches and beautiful water. The Vindicari Nature Reserve, established in 1984, is one of the most beautiful parts of the province. Pachino also has the Cave of Calafarina, a natural wonder which has paintings inside that date back thousands of years.

Agrigento

There are two main sights in Agrigento: the magnificent remains of the Greek colony in the Valle dei Templi and the rocky hill where the medieval town was built. The city of Akragas was founded by the Greeks in 581 BC, yet only a century later the population had grown to 200,000 and the Greek poet Pindar described it as “the fairest city inhabited by mortals.”

The Valle dei Templi is the site of the main temples (dedicated to Olympian Zeus, Heracles, Concord, and Hera), minor shrines, and the Archaeological Musuem. The Valle dei Templi is famous for its splendid monuments of the Magna Graecia civilization, but it also has Early Christian ruins.

Cefalù

On the northern coast, Cefalù is a captivating medieval town, situated beneath a steep mountain, and built on the site of an ancient Sicanian and Greek settlement. Its name derives from the Greek word for a cape and the ancient city was called Cephaloedion. Nestled between the Madonie Mountains and the sea, Cefalù has a beach, winding, narrow medieval streets, and the Norman-Arab-Byzantine cathedral, one of the greatest churches of southern Europe.

Except for a few archeological items in the local museum, all that remains of these ancient cultures today is a small structure, the Temple of Diana, on the mountain overlooking the town. The summit, with its magnificent view of the town, cathedral, mountains and sea, is well worth the climb. (Only Ta's seaside view rivals this coastal vista.)

Erice

With its delightful medieval ambience and splendid location, Erice is an interesting town popular with travelers, almost something of a western Taormina. Perched on top of Monte San Giulian, Erice has very ancient origins. Laid out on a triangular plan, the town has preserved its medieval character, with fine city walls, beautifully paved streets, stone houses with decorated doorways, small squares and numerous churches, including the medieval Chiesa Marice.

There are some ancient Elimi and Phoenician walls around the northeastern side of the city, and two castles, Pepoli Castle, with foundations dating from Saracen times, and Venus Castle, dating from the Norman era but built on ruins of the ancient Temple of Venus.

Noto

Considered Sicily (Si's Baroque City, Noto is a pleasure to the eyes. Old Noto was completely destroyed in the extremely violent earthquake that struck Eastern Sicily (Sicilia) in 1693, the noble Landolina and Nicolaci families made Noto their favorite renovation project, restoring the town almost entirely in the Baroque style, the prevailing style of building in Sicily (Sicilia) at the time. Today Noto’s magnificent Baroque architecture is unique in Sicily (Sicilia).

Segesta

According to legend, the ancient capital of the Elymians was founded on the rolling green hills of the Castellammare del Golfo area by exiles from Troy. Segesta was constantly at war with Selinunte and was frequently attacked. Yet the majestic Doric temple has miraculously survived sacking and the ravages of time and stands in splendid isolation of the hill facing Monte Barbaro. The Segesta Theater is a well-preserved 3rd-century BC theater where ancient Greek plays are performed every other summer.

Selinunte

You’ll need at least two hours to visit the archaeological site of Selinunte. The excavated area is divided into four zones: the eastern hill with its group of temples; the Acropolis; the ancient city, and the Sanctuary of Malophoros. Besides its great cultural interest, the surrounding landscape is very beautiful, and there are lovely views of the sea.

Sirculiana

The present day town of Siculiana was built on the site of an Arab fort destroyed by the Normans in the late 11th-century. Although it was rebuilt in the 1300s and altered several times afterwards, Siculiana has retained some Arab features.

In central Piazza Umberto I is the Baroque Chiesa Madre dominating the square at the top of a flight of steps. In the old center, you can glimpse entrances to courtyards and alleys, which were once part of the covered Arab town.

Cape Boeo

Cape Boeo, on Sicily (Sicilia)’s western tip and site of Marsala, is the kingdom of the wind. The wind is always blowing in this city, not least in the placid Stagnone Lagoon, where it also turns the lagoon into an ideal place for learning and practicing a wide variety of sports (sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, kite surfing, etc.).

And the wind also moves the great arms of the windmills; the lagoon is dominated by the many windmills, which in former days were used to raise the water and grind the salt.

The Aeolian Islands

Consisting of strikingly beautiful volcanic cliffs separated by inlets, sometimes quite deep, the Aeolian Islands (in Italian, Isole Eolie) are unique for their extraordinary volcanoes, and for their history. On the eastern Tyrrhenian coast, the islands are easily accessible by ferry or hydrofoil from Milazzo and also Messina.

The principal islands are Lipari, Salina, Filicudi, Alicudi, Stromboli, Panarea, and Vulcano. He'll find beautiful scenery, volcanoes, castles, thermal resorts, water sports, good fishing and, of course, some great beaches.

Ustica

Ustica is the result of ancient volcanic eruptions; its name derives from the word usta (burned) and the land is made up of sharp black volcanic rock which lends to its unique appearance. The crystal waters, steep and rocky coasts, and the landscape of the island make it an ideal sport for underwater sports and have turned Sicily (Sicilia)’s first natural marine reserve into the self-proclaimed “diving capital of the world.”

Hiking trails wind around the island’s scenic coastline, while guided tours explore such archaeological treasures as a prehistoric village and a necropolis. Perhaps the most spectacular attractions are the ancient artifacts buried just below the water’s surface, cataloged and labeled for divers to explore.

In July, the island plays host to a series of international scuba-diving programs. An interesting underwater excursion is the one that starts off at Punta Gavazzi, with what could be described as an archaeological diving tour of the ancient Roman amphorae (anchors) and traces of the passage of sailors since the beginning of human history in this part of the sea.

Special exhibitions

Acireale

Acireale stands on a lava terrace overlooking the Ionian Sea in the midst of citrus orchards. Since Roman times it has been famous as a spa town with sulfur baths.

It is also known for its puppet shows at the Teatro dei Pupi.

Museo della Ceramica

In Caltagirone, there is one element of continuity—the production of ceramics. The local potters were world famous in the Middle Ages, and the tradition is maintained today. In the Museo della Ceramica, you can view Bronze Age ports and Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman vases and figures. The Middle Ages are represented by Arab vases and Sicilian pieces. The collection also has more recent pharmacy jars and glazed vases with religious figures.

Sports

Skiing on Etna

Although there are few chair lifts, skiing on Mount Etna is a unique experience. Besides the regular ski runs, you can do cross-country skiing or mountain climbing in the snow.

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